Volume 6 Chapter 1 Lena’s Shopping ①
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Just what… am I supposed to do…?”
I was alone in town, feeling utterly lost. In my hands were two gold coins—the reward I had received from my recent work. Yes, that’s right. It was the first payment I had ever received in my life. As the loyal slave of my master, Sir Soyuz, I naturally thought this reward should be handed over to him──
’This is an order. Lena, use that money for yourself.’
Sir Soyuz said this firmly. He’s usually very kind, but at times like this, he doesn’t allow me to say a word. And once it’s called an order, as a slave, I have no choice but to obey.
”That said, what on earth should I use such a large sum of money for?”
Even if I’m told to use it for myself, as the lowest-ranking slave, I have no idea how to spend money. I’ve hardly ever had my own, so it’s only natural. Moreover, I don’t particularly want anything. Clothes, food, weapons, and all the necessary adventuring tools──everything I need has been provided by Sir Soyuz. Furthermore, they’re all far too splendid for someone like me to possess. How on earth am I supposed to spend this money?
”That said, a slave cannot ignore their master’s orders…”
So there I was, standing in a corner of the market, bewildered by a problem I had rarely encountered in my life. I was simply at a loss. Why, after all, had Sir Soyuz entrusted such a large sum of money to someone like me?
”Wait!? Could it be…”
As that thought crossed my mind, a spark of realization flashed through my head. Perhaps I’m being tested. When given an amount of money beyond my means, how would my slave act? And if my actions don’t align with what my master desires, then──
”…No. That is not possible. He would never do such a thing.”
I could only feel shame for the foolish thought that crossed my mind, even if just for a moment. Yes, my beloved master would never put me to the test. He even takes me on adventures, lets me carry weapons, and just the other day, he let me work alone. There’s no way someone who trusts me that much would suddenly decide to test me.
”However… if that is the case, then why on earth…”
With the gold coins in hand, I found myself caught in a loop of foolish thoughts when suddenly──
”Hey? Isn’t that the little slave from the boy’s place? What are you doing here?”
A voice called from behind me.
”Ah, I have no use for money,” I replied.
The person who spoke was Lady Mel, a staff member of the Adventurers’ Guild, looking at me with a slightly exasperated expression.
”There are plenty of ways to spend money. Just buy some slightly expensive clothes, eat some good food, and drink some nice alcohol, and a gold coin or two will disappear in no time.”
She ran her fingers through her unkempt hair, which seemed in need of care, as she spoke.
”I receive clothes and food from my master. I’ve never drunk alcohol.”
In response, Lady Mel let out a disinterested “Huh,” and shrugged as if to say, “Good grief.”
”Honestly, what a greedy little slave you are. Don’t you have any desires? Something like the joy of living?”
”Desires… you say?”
”Yeah. Most people, once they can eat, start spending money on things they want or things they want to do. Especially adventurers—they’re all a bunch of greedy folks.”
…Things I want to do… desires…
I have only one.
”My desire is to serve my master. Living for my master and dying for my master is my desire.”
At my response, Lady Mel groaned, “Ugh,” and shook her head slightly.
”Seriously… what on earth did that boy do to make a girl like you say such things… Well, whatever. If you’re saying that much, then of course, you’re also taking care of him at night, right?”
”Y-yes. Of course. Everything about this body belongs to my master.”
”Then it’s simple. Come on. I’ll take you to a good place.”
”Ah!? W-wait a moment?”
”Don’t worry about it.”
Ignoring my confusion, Lady Mel forcefully took my hand and started walking.
We passed through the market and headed toward the back town. I’d heard this area isn’t very safe even in Verdaine’s town. What on earth does she plan to do bringing me here?
Keeping in mind to be ready to draw my dagger at any moment, I followed her lead.
After walking for a while through the dimly lit back town…
”We’ve arrived. Ah, I’m not planning to take anything to eat, so don’t make that scary face.”
Unknowingly, my distrust must have shown on my face. Lady Mel glanced at me and, still looking annoyed, let go of my hand. Then she knocked on the door of a small mansion in front of us.
There was no sign on the mansion, and it certainly didn’t look like a shop…
”Yes… who is it?”
A voice came from beyond the door.
”It’s Mel. Can you let me in?”
As Lady Mel spoke, the door creaked open──
”Welcome, Lady Mel. Thank you for coming to Sara’s shop.”
A beautiful woman greeted us.
The woman who introduced herself as Sara was almost indistinguishable from an elf. Her long, honey-colored hair was meticulously cared for, cascading down to her waist, and she wore a modest yet beautifully crafted, elegant white dress that accentuated her slender figure. Despite her delicate frame, her chest made a firm statement, and the wide-open neckline was truly impressive, even to me as a woman.
”Hey, Sara, it’s been a while. I brought a new customer today.”
Lady Mel pulled me forward in front of Sara and, seeming rather annoyed, said, “Well then, do your thing. Take care,” and just like that, she left.
”Um… well…”
I was left completely bewildered. What on earth was going on? What kind of shop was this? Why did Lady Mel bring me to such a place?
As I pondered these questions, Sara faced me again, lowering her gaze to my neck and said, “Oh my… could it be that you are someone’s slave?”
”Y-yes. You are correct, I am a slave,” I replied.
At my response, Sara let out a sigh of admiration, “Hah…” and for some reason, her eyes narrowed with delight. “This is… magic silver, isn’t it? You wear a beautifully crafted collar. You seem healthy, and above all, your eye color is beautiful. It seems your master treats you very well.”
”Y-yes! My master is very kind to me.”
”Yes, yes, I see. And you, too, hold your master in deep affection, don’t you? Almost to the point of madness.”
”Yes. My master is everything to me. I would willingly give my body and life for that person.”
I couldn’t help but think of my master, feeling a warmth between my legs. I spoke words that were entirely truthful.
Then, the woman before me wore a dreamy expression and said, “You are just like me. I, too, live solely for the master whom I adore from the bottom of my heart.”
With that, she proudly arched her chest, emphasizing her necklace. In the center of the luxurious necklace adorned with many beautiful gems, I noticed a bright red magic stone that shimmered—identical to my collar.
”Oh… then you, too?”
”Yes. I am also a slave. And this shop is run by me, entrusted with everything by my master.”
She likely thought of her own master as well. There was a gentle light in her eyes, tinged with a certain fervor. It was as if the light mirrored the one in my own eyes.
”Lady Sara, you also hold your master in great affection, don’t you?”
”Of course. And please, refrain from adding ‘Lady’ to someone like me, who’s in the same position as you… Um, may I ask your name?”
”Ah!? I apologize for the delay. My name is Lena.”
”Well then, Ms. Lena. Once again, welcome to Sara’s shop. Here, we assist those who live for their masters, like yourself. I’m sure we have various items that will satisfy both you and your master.”
When she mentioned “satisfy your master,” she shivered slightly and let out a hot sigh. Surely, she too couldn’t help but think of her own master—it must have lightly touched her heart.
Ah──this person is truly someone like me.
I couldn’t help but feel my heart warm with a kind of joy I had never known before.
”S-So, what kind of items would satisfy my master…?” I asked, my voice unintentionally trembling.
”Yes. Please, this way. I believe you will find something to your liking, Ms. Lena.”
With a very sultry smile, Sara placed her hand on the inner door and invited me in.
The moment I passed through that door behind her──
”──!? What is this…”
I couldn’t help but widen my eyes.
There, items far more wonderful than my meager imagination could ever conceive were proudly displayed.
”How do you like it, Ms. Lena? I am confident these will bring joy to both you and your master.”
”Y-Yes… Yes! They’re truly wonderful!” I let out a loud voice, which was rather unbecoming, but Sara continued to nod with her smile intact.
”Please, feel free to look around. If you find yourself troubled, I would be so bold as to select something for you?”
With a very gentle gaze, she said this. It felt not like a merchant trying to sell something to a customer, but rather like a sister caring for her younger sibling—soft and warm.
It was almost frightening.
So…
”Ah, thank you. But why, Sara, are you being so kind to someone like me?” I foolishly blurted out, bracing myself.
Yet, even to someone like me, she maintained her warm smile and said,
”Because you remind me so much of my former self… having been oppressed for years, suddenly saved one day. And then bewildered by the great love of your master… The way you seem to fear and be confused by the happiness that has come to you, which you thought was worthless until now, feels just like my own experience.”
As she murmured this, a single tear fell from her eye.
”W-Well, then, you too…” I started.
”Yes. I am a lowly slave who was brought to this country as a war prize after my homeland was defeated. I was used up as a sexual slave for the soldiers and was about to be discarded like garbage when my master picked me up and has treated me with such kindness. Surely, you too must have been saved from a terrible place, just like me? You have that kind of face.”
”…Yes. I was also captured in a slave hunt, attacked by a magical beast… and the ugly wounds I suffered were healed by my master. That person is a god to me.”
At my words, Sara nodded repeatedly.
”I thought so from the moment I saw you. Hey, Ms. Lena… if it’s alright, would you be my friend?”
With a very beautiful smile, she said that to me.
──Ah, what a… such a thing, such a thing.
On this day, I met someone I could truly call a lifelong friend for the first time in my life.
Notes:
• Lena – Female. A young slave girl in her early teens. Her appearance is emaciated with brown skin, long black hair, and grotesque scars across her face, including one that blinds her left eye. She wears a black collar and tattered clothing. Her relationship to the protagonist is that of a rescued victim. She is silent and appears to have endured severe physical and emotional abuse.
• Mel – Female. The receptionist at the Adventurers Guild branch in Verdaine. She is a woman of a certain age with long, messy blonde hair. Her relationship with the protagonist is casual and slightly teasing. She is laid-back but observant.
• Verdaine – The largest local city in the region, ruled by the Margrave of Verdaine. It houses a branch of the Adventurers Guild and is the protagonist’s temporary base. Located within walking distance from the unnamed village where Lena was found.
• Sara – The elegant and alluring owner of a mysterious shop, who has a slave background similar to Lena’s. She’s supportive and welcoming, offering a special kind of assistance.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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